Wisbech firefighting historian George Dunlop completes books on history of Wisbech Fire Service after nearly half a century

All six editions of Mr Dunlop's work will be available in the Wisbech and Cambridge libraries. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

76-year-old George Dunlop has dedicated decades of his life to writing an extensive history of the service – dating all the way back to 1607 – and now all six editions of his hard work will go on display in the Wisbech and Cambridge libraries.

“I’m very proud of it, if I’m honest,” he said. “I’ve spent hours and hours at the Wisbech library and trawling through old newspapers.

“It started off as a hobby and I was persuaded to have the books published by one of the local studies librarian.

“I thought it was worthy of putting it together properly, so I got it printed in colour and hard backed which wasn’t cheap.

“I’m putting them out in the libraries not for my benefit, but so people can read them if they want to and if they want to track down any past fire fighters.”

The hardback books feature incidents the service was called to until 2014 and also contain photos, information from social events and even the resting places of firemen from the past.

Mr Dunlop decided to write his books in memory of his father ‘Jock’, who was a firefighter from 1927 until 1954.

“We used to have a bell in our house and every time it went off I would follow my father down the road on my bike,” Mr Dunlop said.

“I’d often get in trouble for going too far from home if he went out on a country job. I’ve been interested in the fire service since I can remember so I thought this would be a good way to pay tribute to my father.”

Mr Dunlop, who is also former president of the Wisbech Fire Station Social Club is now hoping to continue his foray into writing by starting a book on vintage fire engine ‘Vivien,’ which he bought in 2000.